MAKE YOUR CLOTHES EARN IT

By Christine Whitney LET’S ADMIT IT, dressing for work can be about as exciting as eating oatmeal for breakfast. But that’s about to change: This season, designers offered an antidote to the fashion doldrums, serving up plenty of options in fresh hues and bold prints. So, instead of thinking that your professional wardrobe has to go back to black or cardigans or ballet flats, avail yourself of the many sleek separates and extras now on the market. Go for tailored blazers, slouchy pants, and power pumps in unexpected colours or patterns, and give your workwear a promotion.

The first thing to know is that prints are big for fall; notably, Riccardo Tisci at Givenchy showed suiting in all-over florals, which is a great way to embolden the workaday staple. But the look can be tricky to translate into real life, particularly in an office environment. “Headto-toe or clashing prints are great on the runway, but for work it’s better to ground one print with neutrals,” cautions George Sharp, executive vice president of design at the Jones Group. “A graphic silk blouse can add edge to a black pant-suit.” Net-a-Porter fashion director Holli Rogers seconds the sentiment. “Avoid going overboard by pairing a beautiful showstopping piece with a basic, such as a silk shirt from Equipment. This gives it contrast so the prints aren’t overpowering.”

Of course, if you’re feeling daring, “you can and should add a contrasting accent